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Your Observer

Violinist Anton Cutajar, who performs at weddings and parties and gives private lessons, treated shoppers at St. Armands Circle to his rendition of "What a Wonderful World" Tuesday, Jan. 8.
    By
  • Katie Hendrick
  • January 9, 2013
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Bright Blessed Days ...

Violinist Anton Cutajar, who performs at weddings and parties and gives private lessons, treated shoppers at St. Armands Circle to his rendition of "What a Wonderful World" Tuesday, Jan. 8.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
Must be a lady ... from Longboat Key

Snowbird Bev Prechtel didn't expect to see a "Lady from Longboat Key" while vacationing at a timeshare resort just outside of Mesa, Ariz.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
Callihan: Movin' on up

Kudos are in order for Longboat Key resident Margaret Callihan, who was recently promoted to chairwoman, president and CEO of the South Florida Division of SunTrust Bank, based in Fort Lauderdale.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
Sanders, sea lions form fast friendship

Virginia Sanders, right, and her daughter, Beth Brewer, made three new friends during a recent trip to Mote Marine Aquarium: sea lions Stella, Kitty and Rose.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
Kiwanis Club seeks 'Citizen of the Year' nominees

Know a good man (or woman) whose contributions have benefited Longboat Key?

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
CAC to host School Fair

Parents: Want to check out the area's private schools?

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
Ranch Rotary donates books

After being awarded a $1,000 Rotary District (6960) Grant, the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch donated hundreds of books to children at Orange Ridge Bullock Elementary School last month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
University Park club provides holiday cheer

The University Park Women's Club helped create a happier holiday for girls in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
New stores are opening in the Shoppes of Bay Isles.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 9, 2013
Property near Publix takes shape

The town of Longboat Key is keeping an eye on four acres of property that could be used as a future town center.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Engineer Anne Ross was promoted to assistant town manager. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 9, 2013
Bullock hires assistant town manager

The manager position was created to find a town manager successor and look for future managers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Town Commission candidates Larry Grossman, Mayor Jim Brown, Irwin Pastor, Gene Jaleski and Commissioner Phill Younger
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 9, 2013
Library checks out commission candidates

Candidates for the Longboat Key Town Commission turned a new page Monday when they met with Longboat Library members for the first candidate forum of this year's election.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 9, 2013
Colony Association monitoring litigation

The association has submitted a $50,000 cash bond to the town of Longboat Key as it works through settlement negotiations for three acres of property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • January 9, 2013
Town wants to revive the Hilton's application

A consultant has been hired to see if it's possible to distribute additional tourism units to the Longboat Key Hilton.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
News Briefs

Town chooses its people over sea turtles; Firefighter contract still hangs in limbo; FDOT announces New Pass Bridge work

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jody Vitt and Linda Chambers hold the Sony Cybershot camera.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 9, 2013
Facial recognition

A chance sighting at Publix led to the return of a camera and a newfound friendship for two Longboat ladies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 9, 2013
Referendum for extension could bring BID full Circle

St. Armands landowners could soon vote on a 10-year extension for the Business Improvement District.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 9, 2013
Rats took over Town Hall talk

Do you smell a rat? The logical solution is, of course, a cat.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
Our View: Buchanan's biggest test

It would not be fun standing in Congressman Vern Buchanan's shoes. At least not for us.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • January 9, 2013
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
Letters to the Editor

Publix penny-per-pound stance lacks justifiable merit; Thank you to Keena Robinette for the Beachplace holiday lighting

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
Cops Corner: Longboat Key

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Judy Seeger and Chantal Diem check out photos of Petesch. Photos by Robin Hartill.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 9, 2013
Tribute frames life of Petesch

The Key community gathered to celebrate the life of framing artist Terry Petesch, 62, who died Nov. 27.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • January 9, 2013
Nora White's mission brought joy and laughter to many children

Nora White, 62, traveled the world as a volunteer for the Medical Missions Foundation of Kansas City, where she became known as 'Doctor Clown.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ina Gross, center, is pictured with her son-in-law, Dave Gerth, grandson Gabe Gerth, daughter, Ellen Gerth, and granddaughter Olivia Gerth. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 9, 2013
One year later: Ranch murder remains unsolved

Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube remains confident the individual who murdered Lakewood Ranch resident Ina Gross last year will be caught.

  • East County
  • News
Joyce Sandy and Michelle Patterson, both Heritage Harbour residents, were elected to the HH CDD Board of Supervisors in November.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 9, 2013
Newly elected board seeks unity

Passions flared during the first meeting of 2013, as the board discussed dumpsites and a lake and wetland maintenance project.

  • East County
  • News
Jordan Sanders got into the Berklee College of Music, which boasts an alumni base that has won 250 Grammys and Latin Grammys.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 9, 2013
Braden River student receives coveted prize

Senior Jordan Sanders, 17, a singer/songwriter and saxophonist, earns a partial scholarship to Berklee College of Music, in Boston.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
As the Alliance’s new board president, Tommy Klauber is determined to make the Alliance a go-to organization for businesses in the area.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 9, 2013
Entrepreneur Klauber assumes Alliance helm

Restaurateur Tommy Klauber will lead the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance into 2013.

  • East County
  • News
The RaceTrac gas station planned for SR 64 and Lena Road. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 9, 2013
County works toward 'complete streets' plan

Manatee County is developing plans that will allow it to provide more transit options on future and retrofitted roadways.

  • East County
  • News
Giuliano Hazan learned about his family's passion for food during Shabbat dinners at his grandparents’ house. He later opened his own cooking school in Italy while authoring award-winning cookbooks. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • January 9, 2013
Jewish Book Festival opens in Lakewood Ranch

Italian chef Giuliano Hazan will open the festival with a presentation Jan. 13, in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
News Briefs

School District to open enrollment period; Stoneybrook Rec Center has new hours; Retirement home names new public relations director; SCFCS holds fall 2013 information sessions

  • East County
  • News
The final tenant moved into this building, called Energy Court, in December, bringing occupancy to 100%. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • January 9, 2013
Office vacancies take dip in Lakewood Ranch

Office vacancies in Lakewood Ranch have dropped below 10% for the first time in years.

  • East County
  • News
Read this week's Cops Corner
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Former State College of Florida center fielder and current assistant baseball coach Dave Moates will be inducted into the SCF Hall of Fame during a ceremony Jan. 18. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 9, 2013
Hall of Famer: Dave Moates

Lakewood Ranch High physical education teacher Dave Moates will be inducted Jan. 18 into the State College of Florida Hall of Fame.

  • East County
  • Sports
Formerly the Suncoast Storm 14U travel softball team, the team joined the Tampa Mustangs organization in August. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 9, 2013
Suncoast Storm has a new identity

The Suncoast Storm 14U travel softball team joined the Tampa Mustangs organization in August as a way to garner national recognition. The girls won their 12th tournament title at the USFA Wounded Warrior College Showcase Dec. 1 and Dec. 2.

  • East County
  • Sports
Championship players include: Hannah Ott, Madison Taylor, Kasey Brandt, Alana DeLaGarza, Emma Bourdeau, Kayleigh Roundy, Hailey Hirter, Courtney Stout, Riley O’Neill, Allison Van Hatten and Jessica Wagner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 9, 2013
SIDELINES

Lady Pirates go 2-1 in holiday tournament; Falkner Farms wins tournament championship; LRLL spring registration upcoming; Miss Manatee Softball announces registration dates for spring season

  • East County
  • Sports
Brett Wessel, 16, and his younger brothers, Luke, 9, and Cade, 12, all began playing ice hockey for the Gulf Coast Flames travel organization during the past two years.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • January 9, 2013
Family Affair: Brothers travel to play hockey

East County brothers Brett, Cade and Luke Wessel play travel hockey for the Gulf Coast Flames at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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